Palm Bay’s 'Compound' brush fire contained by crews amid burn ban

PALM BAY, Fla. - Palm Bay Fire Rescue quickly contained a 5-acre brush fire in The Compound with help from the Florida Division of Forestry.

Fire was swiftly contained, officials say

What we know:

Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews responded to a fast-moving brush fire just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday in an area known as The Compound.

Multiple brush units, engines, and water tenders were dispatched to contain the flames. With assistance from the Florida Division of Forestry, crews were able to limit the fire's spread to roughly five acres.

Officials confirmed that no homes or private properties were threatened during the incident.

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Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews responded to a fast-moving brush fire in The Compound, on April 30, 2025. [Credit: Palm Bay Fire Rescue]

The City of Palm Bay is currently under a burn ban due to ongoing drought conditions, and fire officials are urging residents to remain cautious.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. It's unclear whether it was sparked by human activity or natural causes, such as dry lightning. Officials also have not provided information on whether any injuries occurred among first responders or if wildlife habitats were affected.

There’s also no word on how long the burn ban will remain in place or if additional restrictions could follow.

The backstory:

The Compound, a remote and undeveloped area in southwest Palm Bay, has been a repeated site of brush fires over the years. The region is known for its dry scrub and vacant lots, making it especially vulnerable during droughts. With Central Florida currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions, fire danger has remained elevated for weeks.

The city has already issued a burn ban to prevent precisely this kind of situation — fires sparked or spread by careless outdoor burning, fireworks, or discarded smoking materials.

What they're saying:

Officials are urging residents to remain aware of the risks and comply with fire restrictions.

"We want to remind everyone that a burn ban remains in effect for the entire city of Palm Bay," fire officials said in a statement. "Please stay vigilant and help us keep our community safe during these ongoing drought conditions."

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